General Education Requirement (GER)/Broadening & Deepening Electives (BDE)

HL0201 IMAGES OF SINGAPORE: LITERATURE, FILM AND CULTURE​
Pre-requisite(s): Nil​ | 3 AUs

This course will consider majors works of literature by Singaporean authors, including Edwin Thumboo, Catherine Lim, Kuo Pao Kun, Haresh Sharma, Gwee Li Sui, Claire Tham, Philip Jeyeratnam, Tan Tarn How and films by Eric Khoo, as well as a wide range of critical essays and commentaries. Students will analyse works by the above authors from a variety of perspectives, in an efforts to evaluate how the artistic community frames images of Singapore.

HL5001 MADNESS IN LITERATURE & FILM
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs

This course examines the ways in which madness is interpreted in selected literature and films from late 19th century onwards. Is madness a matter of perspective, biological disorder, subversion or metaphor? We examine four possible categories: the mentally ill with self-awareness of their debilitating condition; alienated individuals deviating from societal norms; mentally unsound individuals labeled insane by experts; and individuals exhibiting symptoms of mental disorder in enacting transgressive acts. Using close reading of literary and visual narratives, this course will discuss madness in the contexts of self-awareness, creativity, alienation and isolation, language as construct, women and representation, the institution, sexual dysfunction and violence.
HL5025 UTOPIAN AND DYSTOPIAN FILM AND LITERATURE
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs

This course examines the ways in which utopian visions of the future often critique human obsessions with power and perfectibility. It will explore the prevalence of Utopian narratives throughout history, focusing on how they have shifted with the advancement of 20th and 21st century developments in mass infrastructure and housing, “cheap” nuclear energy space exploration, robots, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and big data analysis. It seeks to come to terms with the idea that while any society would reject social/political development which force them to give up free will though pain and torture, these same societies might be more tempted by a life of pleasure, peace and absence from fear even if they came at the expense of other social liberties. Using close reading of literature and film this course will discuss what such visions of the future say about the ever-shifting moral and ethical codes which accompany social and political change—change which seems to occur with increasing frequency during periods of rapid technological growth.
HQ5010 INTRODUCTION TO GENDER AND DIVERSITY
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs

Given that Introduction to Gender and Diversity is proposed as a module for a Minor programme, it would take a broad, introductory approach to the critical theory and its socio-political and historical contexts. The module will explore the intersectional constructions of gendered identity according to a range of discourses that concern femininity, masculinity, transgendered identity, disability, ethnicity, class, nationality and virtual identities. It will consider the ways in which these discourses underpin contemporary debates about diversity.  The module encourages you to develop a broad knowledge of the subjects studied and to hone your analytical skills, with an appreciation of the conflicts and nuances inherent in discussions about diversity and gendered identities.

HL2020 CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
Pre-requisite(s): HL1001(Corequisite) | 3 AUs

This course begins with the assumption that participants have engaged in some aspect of creative writing, particularly for the stage, and seeks to further develop one's understanding of the craft of writing in relation to theatre and live performance. You will explore various dramaturgical approaches in creating, researching and developing text for performances through solo as well as collaborative endeavours; experiment with ideas through practical work; and analyse a range of performance writing possibilities through critical review and self-reflection.
HZ5101 INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING
Pre-requisite(s): Nil | 3 AUs

This foundational course introduces students to the major literary genres of poetry, fiction and drama and to the literary techniques essential to success in these genres (including imagery, voice, dialogue, characterisation, and narration) as well as to the processes which drive creative productivity. Students will complete original assignments in each of these major genres while learning the procedure for work-shopping each other's products and the benefits of constructive criticism and revision.

HZ5201 CREATIVE WRITING: POETRY
Pre-requisite(s): HZ5101 | 3 AUs

Students will develop a deeper understanding of poetry as a form and practice. They will become familiar with processes for taking their own poetry from early, inchoate ideas to published or performed versions. They will learn how to manage their creative production, and how to participate in poetry communities on and off the page.
HZ5202 CREATIVE WRITING: FICTION
Pre-requisite(s): HZ5101 | 3 AUs

In an effort to develop their understanding of fiction writing, students will be expected to complete several short stories. A focus on the relationship between form and content will form much of the substance of the students' work. The course will also provide practical exposure to a variety of stylistic and technical devices that are specific to the writing of fiction. This will all be formulated in the context of classical and contemporary examples.
HZ5203 CREATIVE WRITING: NON FICTION PROSE
Pre-requisite(s): HZ5101 | 3 AUs

Students will work towards greater understanding and control of the relationships between research-based content and aesthetic expression. We will explore the ethics of truth-telling and expressive freedom.
HZ5204 CREATIVE WRITING: PLAYWRITING
Pre-requisite(s): HZ5101 | 3 AUs

Critical analyses of stage play excerpts, peer critiquing of fellow students? work-in-progress scripts and a final dramatised play reading showcase will also be key components of the learning process.
HZ5205 CREATIVE WRITING: SCREENWRITING
Pre-requisite(s): HZ5101 OR FL8001 (Min ‘B’ grade) | 3 AUs
                        
Critical analyses of screenplay excerpts, peer critiquing of fellow students' work-in-progress scripts and a final dramatised reading and storyboard showcase will also be key components of the learning process.
HZ5301 ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING
Pre-requisite(s): HZ5101 & HZ5201 OR | 3 AUs
                             HZ5101 & HZ5202 OR
                             HZ5101 & HZ5203 OR 
                             HZ5101 & HZ5204 OR 
                             HZ5101 & HZ5205 OR
                             HL2020 & HZ5101
Students will commit themselves to a programme of writing, reading and revision, which will be enriched by group feedback and discussion. We will learn through practice about the pleasures and difficulties of managing longer writing projects, and about the business of taking work to publication and production.